Another avoidable tragedy...wear a helmet

[Telluride Ski Babe]

Ever since my accident I've been asking my husband to please, please buy a helmet. (I know I escaped more serious injury because I was wearing one.) He hasn't bought one yet.

Yesterday, a man died on a blue trail (one I often hike in the summer because it's so close to where I live) of blunt force trauma when he hit a tree. Yup, he wasn't wearing a helmet.

https://www.telluridenews.com/homepage/x1520648003

My husband asked to borrow my helmet today...

 

[Jilly]

When you're feeling up to it, DRAG him to the store. A great Valentine's Day gift!! You want him around for a while. Had the same trouble with my DH. After one concussion he finally wears it all the time.

 

[pinto]

"Dempsey reported that Irvin was racing a friend before the crash, and Telluride Ski and Golf CEO Dave Riley said Irvin was traveling “at a high rate of speed” before the crash.

"Irvin leaves behind a five-weeks pregnant wife, and a one-year-old child."

Grrrrrr.

I've said this before, but if he hit a tree at a high rate of speed, the helmet frankly wouldn't have done jack diddly.

Good decision making is the most important thing, and then wear a helmet just in case. It isn't the other way around.

 

[geargrrl]

I've said this before, but if he hit a tree at a high rate of speed, the helmet frankly wouldn't have done jack diddly.

thanks for saying this. Helmets can prevent certain kinds of head injuries, but they aren't the be-all-end-all for preventing disaster on the mountain in the event of certain kind of high-speed, intense impact scenarios. Without getting graphic, I KNOW what happens in a high speed impact and it ain't pretty.

That being said, I always wear mine.

gg

 

[jjsooner]

Wow...that's very scary and tragic. His poor family...

I know I should rent a helmet for my upcoming trip...but the thought of a used helmet really grosses me out. I can't see buying a good one right now....<sigh>

 

[MaineSkiLady]

I've said this before, but if he hit a tree at a high rate of speed, the helmet frankly wouldn't have done jack diddly.

Read the article again:
"Brian Irvin, a Southwest Airlines pilot from Mesa, Ariz., was racing down Marmot, an intermediate run off of Lift 10, when, according to San Miguel County Coroner Bob Dempsey, he hit soft snow, lost control and struck a tree, suffering blunt trauma to the back of his head...
Dempsey believes the man was not wearing a helmet."

A helmet may have helped. These weren't blunt trauma injuries to the torso. Either way, how terribly tragic...

 

[abc]

I know I should rent a helmet for my upcoming trip...but the thought of a used helmet really grosses me out. I can't see buying a good one right now....<sigh>

Regarding renting helmet. It may sound gross. But it's surprisingly not so. I rented mid-day during my first snowboard lesson. The number of bang on my head reached a point that the "grossness" of a used helmet was nothing compared to the worry of banging my head one more time! And I was glad the helmet look, well, new enough. Whoever rented and worn it before left no sign whatsoever.

I'm not a helmet fanatic. I may not be wearing my helmet come spring. It's too hot.

Still, to me, it's pretty black and white. Either you don't believe in helmet protects, or you do. (I don't, I wear a helmet primarily for warmth)

Sounds like you do feel safer skiing with a helmet. In that case, you should just go out and buy one. Not neccessarily "the best", just get one that fits. The peace of mind you'll have will be priceless. I can't think of a worse way to ruin a ski trip than constantly worrying about hitting my head on something and ruining the rest of my life...

Rational or not, if you want one, get one NOW.

 

[jjsooner]

It's my first time skiing, so I'm torn between thinking "I know I'll be falling, but I'll be going slow" to "I'm a klutz, better safe than sorry."
It may be a game day decision.

Oddly, I wouldn't ride my bicycle without one. My parents are motorcyclers and do not wear them and I'm over being mad at them for it. My dad said when/if I start riding, I won't want to wear one for the freedom thing...I don't know though.

 

[abc]

It's my first time skiing, so I'm torn between thinking "I know I'll be falling, but I'll be going slow" to "I'm a klutz, better safe than sorry."
It may be a game day decision.

Oddly, I wouldn't ride my bicycle without one. My parents are motorcyclers and do not wear them and I'm over being mad at them for it. My dad said when/if I start riding, I won't want to wear one for the freedom thing...I don't know though.

Exactly how I feel. If I left without a helmet, I simply can't enjoy the ride because I keep worrying about falling and hitting my head. (falling on bike is quite likely and head meeting ground is also quite likely) I've done it (riding without helmet), I just wouldn't do it purposely because the worrying is too tiring!

As for skiing for the first time. You're going to fall plenty. It's true you're not likely to hit your head. Not hard usually. But I still think your worrying will reduce your fun.

Rent then. Ask for a new and clean one. It's not gross, really.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Or buy a very lightweight balaclava that can be folded up when the lower part of it isn't needed for face/chin protection - there are also helmet liners in polypro or thermax that do not have balaclava-type benefits - they are simply lightweight "beanies" and serve the purpose of wicking sweat - but would also would be something of a "barrier" should you have any concern about a rental helmet.

Where I ski, people without helmets are outnumbered by those who do wear them by at least 10:1 - at this point, probably more. I haven't seen a child w/o one in probably 6 years.

 

[Robyn]

Or buy a very lightweight balaclava that can be folded up when the lower part of it isn't needed for face/chin protection - there are also helmet liners in polypro or thermax that do not have balaclava-type benefits - they are simply lightweight "beanies" and serve the purpose of wicking sweat - but would also would be something of a "barrier" should you have any concern about a rental helmet.

Where I ski, people without helmets are outnumbered by those who do wear them by at least 10:1 - at this point, probably more. I haven't seen a child w/o one in probably 6 years.

Now why didn't I think of that? She's already bought a balaclava!

 

[Shellski]

OMG that's terrible, I am in Telluride at the moment, and had no idea that had happened.

Very sad. :(

 

[pinto]

Read the article again:
"Brian Irvin, a Southwest Airlines pilot from Mesa, Ariz., was racing down Marmot, an intermediate run off of Lift 10, when, according to San Miguel County Coroner Bob Dempsey, he hit soft snow, lost control and struck a tree, suffering blunt trauma to the back of his head...
Dempsey believes the man was not wearing a helmet."

A helmet may have helped. These weren't blunt trauma injuries to the torso. Either way, how terribly tragic...

Depends on what the "high rate of speed" was. I think the testing standard is only 15 mph, or something like that.

"To give a stark example, biomechanics have demonstrated that in order to protect the head against a direct impact blow at 30 mph, with currently available materials, a helmet would need to be at least 18cm thick, 50cm wide and weigh 5kg+. Hhhmm….stylish. Radar data collected from ski areas suggests most intermediate skiers regularly travel at between 24-38 mph." https://www.ski-injury.com/helmet.htm

Again, I'm not saying helmets don't matter. They do, and I always (well, almost) wear mine.

 

[Telluride Ski Babe]

It should be noted it was Dave Riley (the new CEO of the resort) who said he was traveling at a 'high rate of speed.' I know this trail...it's a short blue coming off a double green. He couldn't have been going that fast...it's just not steep enough on that side of the mountain. And I'm not surprised our new CEO would characterize it the way he did. Not saying anything more than I believe this accident may have been avoidable.

Taking a hard fall directly on my own head and shoulder two weeks ago and not suffering any head injury is something I completely credit to wearing a helmet. Pinto, I know you didn't mean that helmets aren't important. I just temper the comments in the newspaper because I know who is making them. That's all...

 

[lucine]

Wow...that's very scary and tragic. His poor family...

I know I should rent a helmet for my upcoming trip...but the thought of a used helmet really grosses me out. I can't see buying a good one right now....<sigh>

So rent one and wear a thin hat as a liner.

how much is a new helmet?
ProRider HS Ski Helmets, $29.95 Each. Free shipping within the contiguous U.S.

Quick Release Buckles
Stationary Goggle Holder
Cushion Chin; Ear Pads
ASTM 2040 Standard
Costco sells them for under 35.00 though they may be out of stock this was at christmas

 

[perma-grin]

Yesterday we hosted Regionals at Mt. Holly. I had the misfortune of sending my 17 yr old assistant "coach" for my "Ripper Girls team, ( she is one of the girls Captians for her high school ski team), :( out on a back board by ambulance to the hospital!! She hooked a tip 3rd to the last gate in the GS course on Thunder. She was spun around, slammed violently onto her back and head then flipped over the crashed into the catch fence head first!!! (that kept her from slamming into the chairlift stanchion.) It scared the crap out of me, and her parents! She was definitelty traveling at a high rate of speed (trying to qualify for states one last time,it's her senior year ). I personally am very greatful for that $150.00 piece of plastic and foam helmet! The end result after all that was a concussion and some strained muscles. Thank God! She is a very sore young lady this morning. I don't even want to think about what could have been the end result without the helmet required now for all high school and CUSSA racers. Helmets may not prevent the injury, but they can and do often lessen the severity of the head trauma suffered! I wear a helmet because it is an important piece equipement to me, just as important as my boots and skis!

 

[skigrl27]

"Dempsey reported that Irvin was racing a friend before the crash, and Telluride Ski and Golf CEO Dave Riley said Irvin was traveling “at a high rate of speed” before the crash.

"Irvin leaves behind a five-weeks pregnant wife, and a one-year-old child."

Grrrrrr.

I've said this before, but if he hit a tree at a high rate of speed, the helmet frankly wouldn't have done jack diddly.

Good decision making is the most important thing, and then wear a helmet just in case. It isn't the other way around.

This is probably true. Here in Aspen we haven't had any fatalities this year (yet & thank goodness) - but last season there were 4 I think. 2 of those were skier vs. tree, with helmets. Know your limits, be safe - don't hit trees.

 

[back2ski]

It's my first time skiing, so I'm torn between thinking "I know I'll be falling, but I'll be going slow" to "I'm a klutz, better safe than sorry."
It may be a game day decision.

The only time I fell last time out was entering a lift area that was sunk in and narrow. Smacked straight back onto my back and head. Strong enough to hurt and push me over the fence in my helmet decision. I did however smack my knee just as hard trying to get OUT of the pit with fogged glasses, skis in one hand and poles in the other. Didn't lift the foot quite enough and tripped with nothing to stop the short fall. My knee still hurts 3 weeks later, head was fine the next day (trust me I'm not discounting a helmet's effectiveness at all, my kids are required to wear them), not planning on wearing knee pads though. I will however avoid this chair lift in the future.

 

[geargrrl]

Miscellanious helmet thoughts - high speed collisions are not at the top of my list. I've clipped myself in the back of the head with my skis doing a somersault and had near and not so near misses with the chairs.

Our parenting style means that you set an example. If the kids are expected to wear helmets, that means mom and dad do too. "well you don't " becomes the all too common comment once they are older enough to really think about it. That's just my opinion, though. But we are helmet people - skiing, biking and whitewater - EVERYBODY wears one.

gg

 

[pinto]

.... Helmets may not prevent the injury, but they can and do often lessen the severity of the head trauma suffered! ...

Absolutely, and I hope no one thinks I was saying otherwise.

Your racer was traveling at a high rate of of speed, but upon her spin and fall and slide into a fence, she was dispersing energy along the way in addition to the helmet's cushioning of the impact. She didn't slam full speed into an immovable object. Nonetheless, I'm sure her helmet protected her from much worse injury.

I just have a thing about the newspapers always linking a death to helmet use. I know that isn't necessarily what they are doing, but to many, it can seem that way. "So and so died after hitting a tree on Blah Blah run. He wasn't wearing a helmet." Ergo, a helmet would have saved him. Well, maybe. But probably not.

A helmet disperses a blunt force: it might keep a branch from impaling your skull, or might even prevent a skull fracture. But when you hit a stationary object, a helmet doesn't prevent the slosh of your brain against your skull, or the snapping of your spinal cord.

The most common thing a helmet does, IMO, is that it prevents a non-direct blow from becoming something major, like when you fall and then hit your head on the snow or your knee or a ski or something like that. But your head isn't traveling at 30 mph in such an instance. The initial fall absorbs a lot of the energy before your head hits.

And that is crucial, because those types of falls are far more common than skiing off the trail at a high rate of speed.